Buying Guide: Structural Options for Your New Mattress

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Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - In Style!

I love furniture, ornaments and other pieces that have a history to them. Almost everything in my home has a story behind it: I have a coffee table made out of old fishing boats from Bali, a light fitting that was first used on a cruise ship in 1902 and a bedstead I put together myself from pieces of driftwood! Furniture like this adds beauty, texture and depth to any interior design scheme--and it's easier to find than you might imagine, too. I've started this blog to share my passion for reclaimed and recycled furniture with the world, and I hope you're able to learn something new and exciting here.

Buying Guide: Structural Options for Your New Mattress

28 December 2016
 Categories: , Blog


You should consider purchasing a new mattress if you have had your old product for a long time. In general, mattresses will lose their reliable structural support as they are used and become older. Therefore, you are more likely to experience back pain and poor quality sleep on the worn product. You will get better body support on a firmer alternative, and modern mattresses are normally designed to relieve pressure from the body for better sleep. Here are the primary forms of mattress structures which you should consider when shopping.

Innerspring Design

The innerspring mattress, also known as pocket sprung, is considered to be the traditional design among modern products. Its popularity can be attributed to the uncompromising support provided without exerting stress on the joints and muscles. Moreover, this option is fairly low cost for homeowners on a budget. Basically, the mattress structure consists of connected springs which are normally sewn into their individual fabric pockets. The innerspring network is then covered with padding such as fibre and foam as well as upholstery. When buying this type of mattress, ensure that the coils are made from durable materials like steel alloy for product longevity.

Memory Foam

The memory foam mattress structure is made using a base of high density polyurethane foam. This strong construction is then covered with the memory foam layer or viscoelastic layer. This upper layer has elastic properties which allow the mattress to conform to the shape of your body. Consequently, you will feel more comfortable and enjoy more warmth on this type of bed. There are different special properties incorporated into memory foam mattresses to improve the performance. Therefore, when buying your product, consider aspects like rate of foam response, temperature factors, breathability and base material quality.

Latex Foam

In general, both the support base and the upper comfort layer in latex mattresses are made from this foam material. The product can be manufactured using plant-based or synthetic latex material. Their performance is relatively similar in ideal circumstances. However, most people prefer the natural type because it is hypoallergenic, very eco-friendly and highly durable. On the other hand, the synthetic alternative is cheaper. You should note that there are often blends of the two, so you should make inquiries before purchase. When shopping, compare the different covers used for the foam because this can also affect your comfort.

There are other structural options for modern mattresses including water, pure polyurethane, air and pillow top. However, memory foam, latex, innerspring and their hybrids will present the best performance.